Classy Cameron becomes two-weight world champion
Britain's Chantelle Cameron put on a dominant performance to beat Michaela Kotaskova and claim the vacant WBO light-middleweight world title at the Olympia in London.
Chantelle Cameron [Getty Images] Britain's Chantelle Cameron put on a dominant performance to beat Michaela Kotaskova by unanimous decision and claim the vacant WBO light-middleweight world title at the Olympia in London. Fighting across three-minute rounds - rather than two minutes as is traditionally the case in women's boxing - the 34-year-old worked at a high tempo and did her best work on the inside. Two judges scored the contest 99-91 in Cameron's favour with the other handing her a complete shutout at 100-90.
"It feels amazing. I'm going back to my family and I've got the world title," she said. "I'm going to have to get used to it [three-minute rounds], it's the first time I've done it and you have to pace yourself.
Sometimes I was rushing it and I need to get used to it. " Cameron vacated her WBC light-welterweight title in October in protest at not being able to compete under the same rules as male fighters, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy having an extra minute to work in each round. The Northampton fighter walked down her Czech opponent and landed spiteful shots to head and body.
Kotaskova, who was previously undefeated, wore the damage of Cameron's relentless work by the end of the fifth round, with blood coming from her nose and markings under her eyes. Cameron took her foot off the gas in the second half of the contest but did finish with a flourish - engaging in the 10th to stamp her authority with some stinging hooks and uppercuts. WBA and WBC light-middleweight champion Mikaela Mayer, also signed by Most Valuable Promotions, watched on from ringside and Cameron confirmed she will face the American next.